DBSA

Pushing forward.

/ Self Saving Warrior Princess / 1 Comment

This is a Really Real Mental Health post.

I spent most of last night coming up with excuses to stay home today.

I’m supposed to be going to a DBSA (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance) meeting.  I’m supposed to go to the gym for the first time in who knows how long.

But last night I was already looking for excuses.

I woke up at 5am, couldn’t sleep anymore, and decided that I needed to do the menu planning and grocery shopping I haven’t done in weeks.  We’ve been surviving off of what I could pull together out of the kitchen, and the occasional quick run into a store.  I don’t really want to, but it’s very much needed.

I still don’t want to go to support group or the gym.  Both of them seem like a kind of work I just don’t want to deal with right now.

But I will go.

Excuses are easy, the real self care comes in pushing to do the things I don’t want to do.

Pushing myself to leave the house.

Pushing myself to get involved in stuff when nothing is appealing.

Pushing myself to do the dishes and clean the house.

Pushing myself to function.

Pushing through the depression.

And the thing is, the depression doesn’t even seem all that bad.  I just want to hibernate and sleep. It’s cold out, it’s dark, it’s crowded everywhere I go.

I’d rather sit home with an adorable little kitten sleeping on my chest.

But, I’ll push myself forward.

Again,

and again,

and again.

Until this passes.

 

That was scary.

/ Self Saving Warrior Princess / Leave a comment

This is a Really Real Mental Health post.

Friday night and Saturday morning were hard.

I came home from therapy and just crashed emotionally. I was grumpy and I was exhausted.  I tried taking a nap. I woke up and couldn’t drag myself out of bed.  I had a concert to go to that night and I stayed home instead.

I’m really upset that I missed that concert.

I ended up spending 15 hours in bed while my brain was silently screaming.

“No, no, no, no, no! I don’t want this to be back again!”

I woke up Saturday and wanted to cancel the gym, wanted to cancel my date that night. I wanted to cancel life.

Suicidal thoughts quietly passed through, barely noticed.

“No, no, no, no, no! I don’t want this to be back again!”

I could feel the depression wrapping its arms around me.

Luckily, I’m surrounded by amazing people. Lots of people. Wonder Woman, who lays with me in my sadness. Mickey who gently tells me we’re still going to the gym. My girlfriend who tells me we can stay in instead of going out. People who give me space, surround me with love, and offer encouragement.

I went to the gym even though I didn’t want to. I went to my DBSA (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance) group. I felt the weight lifting off of my shoulders. I started to feel like maybe it would be okay.

I still went out dancing that night. I allowed myself to have fun, even though my brain still isn’t completely back where I’d like it to be.

I kept moving forward.

And now, things seem a bit brighter again. I see the good in life.

I’m glad this passed quickly, and I didn’t get stuck. I’m thankful to be surrounded by such amazing people.